Staff
Lighthouse School is situated in the leafy suburb of Cookridge, on the edge of woodland in a secluded and lovingly restored former hospital building, close to the Yorkshire countryside. The school is a great place and environment in which to work, as our staff affirm in their testimonials (on the Recruitment page).
We encourage staff to talk openly regarding their mental wellbeing and set up a Wellbeing Working Party (WWP), consisting of staff from across the school, working to promote and introduce wellbeing initiatives for staff. All members of the WWP are qualified Mental Health First Aiders. The HR Department operate an open-door policy and are qualified Mental Health Champions.
In October 2025, the organisation transitioned from a single academy trust (SAT) to a multi-academy trust (MAT) known as Lighthouse Education Trust.
Below is a brief summary of the roles in Lighthouse School, Leeds:
Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
The Senior Leadership Team consists of Executive Principal, Associate Principal, Chief Finance and Operations Officer, SENDCO and two Assistant Principals (SEN and Teaching & Learning).
Our Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCO) leads on ensuring each individual student’s provision is in place, and liaises with external support, such as Educational Psychologist and Occupational Health.
SLT work closely with the Trustees and the school staff to ensure the school’s vision and values are met, and students access excellent provision across the whole school.
Heads of School
There is a Head of Lower School and a Head of Upper School.
The Head of Lower School is responsible for the progress and outcomes of KS3 students and our Head of Upper School for Key Stages 4 & 5 including Careers & Employability.
Heads of subjects
There is a Head of Core Subjects and a Head of Vocational Subjects.
The Head of Core Subjects ensures that there is excellent provision across the English, Maths and Science teaching teams and the Head of Vocational subjects overseas Art, Humanities, Music, PE, Food Technology and Community. Together they ensure consistency of approach across all subjects in school.
Specialist Coordinators
The Head of Therapeutic Services leads on the development and delivery of a comprehensive whole school therapeutic approach. This includes coordinating a school-wide approach to SaLT interventions and working closely with the teaching team to embed practice in the classroom. They line manage the Educarers, who provides first aid and medical needs within school.
Wellbeing:
Wellbeing is split into 3 areas: Transitions, Restorative Practice and Targeted Provisions:
The Transitions Coordinator oversees the successful transition for students before, during and at the end of their Lighthouse School education.
The Restorative Practice Coordinator oversees the implementation of the school’s Positive Behaviour Policy using a restorative approach, whilst supporting student wellbeing and attitude to learning every day.
The Targeted Provision Coordinator leads on targeted and specialist provision across school, including some therapeutic support and care.
Outreach and Training
The Outreach and Training Leads support staff training and other schools and settings, delivering training both internally and externally, and providing advice and guidance to families and colleagues.
Teachers
Lighthouse School employs a team of highly qualified teachers who deliver specific curriculum areas:
* Art
* Computing
* English
* Food Technology
* Horticulture
* Humanities
* Maths
* Music
* Physical Education
* Relationships, Sex and Health Education
* Science
* Skills and Experience
* Wellbeing (following the Autism Education Trust framework)
All our teachers have Special Educational Needs training and provide learning tailored to individual students.
Teachers work to a fortnightly timetable with higher-than-average planning, preparation and assessment time.
Speech and Language Therapists (SaLT)
The specialist Speech and Language Therapist works across school supporting communication practices in formal and informal learning.
Teaching Assistants (TA's)
The Teaching Assistants perform vital assistance in class and during break and lunchtimes. They assist with planning and preparation of activities under the direction of teaching staff, contribute to the development and implementation of specific individualised autism interventions, assist in supervising students during lessons, and at break and mealtimes.
Senior Teaching Assistants
Our Senior Teaching Assistants have skills and experience to (under the direction of teaching staff) plan, prepare and deliver activities to support progress of students and develop and implement specific individualised interventions to support progress in learning.
Wellbeing Tutors
The Wellbeing Tutors work closely with relevant senior middle leaders and team to plan, deliver and assess specific individualised autism interventions and other activities for individual students or groups of students to address their needs and future positive outcomes. They provide coaching and support staff in behaviour and welfare strategies, ensure student EHCP targets are met, contributing and attending meetings as appropriate. (Often referred to as Learning Support Mentors or Behaviour Support Officers in mainstream schools).
Business Support
The Business Support team provide compliance, administrative support and specialist knowledge and experience to the school. The team consists of the Chief Finance and Operations Officer, HR Director, HR Business Partner and HR & EDI Officer, Principal’s PA, Finance Officer, Student Administrator (EHCP), Examinations and Administration Officer, Receptionists and the Site team.
Site Team
The site team is made up of a Site Manager and Site Assistants who fulfil vital maintenance, health & safety compliance checks and are responsible for site security. They keep the school grounds and building in a clean, tidy and presentable condition and ensure the school is running efficiently and as environmentally friendly as possible. They also drive the mini-bus to transport staff and students, as necessary.